How Can Architectural Fiberglass Help with LEED?

Architectural Fiberglass and LEED

In addition to its versatility and strength, architectural fiberglass, whether made from GFRP, GFRC, or GFRG, has a number of advantages when it comes to creating a green structure that meets LEED guidelines.

Primary Benefits of Architectural Fiberglass for Green Building

Research has found that fiberglass is a top-rated green material for building more environmentally friendly structures. The primary benefits include:

• Architectural fiberglass is lightweight and uses less material. This is good for the environment in terms of natural resources and reduced carbon emissions since less fuel is required to transport the material. The material also does not require heavy steel supports to keep it in place.
• Architectural fiberglass lasts longer, and it is moisture, mold, hurricane, earthquake and fire resistant, which means fewer resources are needed for replacement.

• This material has low thermal conductivity, helping to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling.
• Since color is applied to the architectural fiberglass during the manufacturing process, VOCs are eliminated during exterior painting.

Our LEED Certifications for Architectural Fiberglass Materials

LEED is the internationally accepted benchmark for green building design, construction, and operation. The system provides credits toward your building project for every area aspect that can be made green.

Here are the ways that our architectural fiberglass materials help you to achieve LEED credits:

• The main ingredients are plentiful and naturally occurring minerals that are not regarded as pollutants, including gypsum cement, aggregates, water, and glass fibers. The material used, such as GFRG is considered to be a stable mineral-based material that is non-toxic and inert.
• Our architectural fiberglass is comprised of 10% and 50% recycled content. This includes foam used in the manufacture of the molds.
• Other materials are also recycled from the architectural fiberglass manufacturing process, including waste gypsum that is recycled as a soil amendment and water.

• Stromberg is the first and only composite FRP/GFRP manufacturer in the world that has a closed-loop recycling program. This means that it redirects recovered Stromberg GFRP back into the manufacturing process.
• The relatively thin fiberglass skin helps to maximize the amount of insulation used.

• For most applications, our architectural fiberglass components are custom molded, which minimizes waste.

• The regional materials credit may be available, depending on where the raw materials are extracted, harvested, and manufactured.

• The architectural fiberglass also meets LEED specifications for moisture and pest control, including termite resistance.

GFRC can contribute up to 27 points toward LEED certification, which makes it a desirable material to use as the basis for architectural fiberglass, while the other two types of materials offered by Stromberg Architectural also provide a significant number of points.

Learn Why Architectural Fiberglass Offers LEED Advantages

If you are interested in learning more about the environmental benefits of architectural fiberglass and are looking for ways to increase the LEED points on your project, the Stromberg Architectural team is available to share their knowledge and expertise with you and offer recommendations and a free estimate for your project.  Contact us by filling in our online contact form or calling 903-454-0904.